By Hassan Haruna Ginsau
The committee on Foreign Affairs and diaspora at the National Conference has proposed that Africa should take centre stage in Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives.
Speaking to our reporter, Hon. Mohammed Yaro who is a member of the committee and representing the association of former speakers at the conference said the committee had looked at so many areas where Nigeria stands to benefit in terms of god relationships with other countries, either in Africa, Europe or the Americas.
He noted that “the most important thing we have agreed on and intend to present to the plenary when we resume is that Africa should be the centre of Nigeria’s foreign policy.”
Yaro said the committee came to this decision based on the principle that the interest of the country should always determine what should be the foreign policy of Nigeria, and also what agreement Nigeria will go into with any other country.
The responsibilities of the committee include prisoner exchange, extradition, welfare of Nigerians abroad and at home, and the role of Nigeria’s participation in international organisations such as the AU, UN, ECOWAS, etc.
The committee also discussed the establishment of a separate foreign affairs ministry and commission to enhance the activities of the MFA.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a ministry that projects the image of the country abroad. Therefore, we looked at issues that are very important so that Nigeria’s image outside is projected well by Nigerians and also by the Ministry of Foreign affairs. Therefore the funding and staffing of the Foreign affairs and so many other things were looked at,” said Yaro.
